Nationally and within Surrey statistics show that smoking materials cause more fire-related deaths than any other domestic fires. They may be the cause of only 1 in 10 fires in the home, but they will mostly happen when people are at their most vulnerable, which is why they are so often fatal.

The Golden Rule is: never smoke when you are feeling tired, especially in bed or lounging in a chair. Remember that alcohol and medication will make you feel drowsy.

Over half of the fire deaths in Surrey, in the past 4 years, were caused by people who did not follow this simple advice. Additionally:

• Always use an ashtray
• Empty ashtrays before going to bed. Check around the house for ashtrays used by visitors or other members of the family. Make sure the contents are fully extinguished - run them under a tap.
• Do not leave your matches or lighters around for children to play with.
• Do not smoke when dealing with flammable liquids/gases/aerosols
• Make sure you have working smoke detectors in your home. Consider fitting extra detectors in living rooms and bedrooms.